WAR IN THE GULF: MILITARY BRIEFING

WAR IN THE GULF: MILITARY BRIEFING; Excerpts From Sessions On Missiles and Goals

Published: January 21, 1991

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 21—
Following are excerpts from briefings by Lieut. Col. Mike Gallagher and Lieut. Col. Greg Pepin, American miliary spokesmen. The Gallagher briefing, transcribed by Reuters, took place early today and the Pepin briefing, from the Associated Press, was on Sunday: Gallagher Statement

I have a brief statement concerning the most recent Scud attacks on Saudi Arabia. The United States Central Command is in the process of evaluating information on the two salvos of Scud missiles launched by Iraq into Saudia Arabia in the past 24 hours.

We now believe 10 missiles were launched and U.S. Patroit air defense systems shot down nine of them. Iraq fired the first launch of the three Scud missiles into eastern Saudi Arabia at about 9:50 P.M. Saudi time. They were engaged by five Patriot air defense missiles and were shot down near Dhahran. In the second attack, about 12:45 A.M. this morning, Jan. 21 Saudi time, Iraq fired seven Scud missiles: four at Riyadh, two at Dhahran, and one in the waters off Dhahran. Six of these Scuds were shot down by Patriot missiles. The Scud missile landing in the water did not require engagement.

We have no reports yet of damage or injuries. The number of Patriot missiles fired at the incoming Scuds in the second set of launches is still not available at this time. All the missiles were thought to be carrying high-explosive warheads.

That concludes my statement. And now I'll take your questions. Yes, sir, in the back?

Q: Could you say where the one which landed in the water actually landed, with the help of a map, perhaps?

A: What I understand is it was just off the waters off -- in the waters off Dhahran. And because of its trajectory was the reason it didn't require engagement.

Q: There was a loud explosion heard in Bahrain, Mike; would that have been the one?

A: I just -- I can't say for sure. Right here?

Q: Colonel, any reports of errant Patriot missiles landing in the city here?

A: No, we've not received any such reports, and we've not received any kind of damage reports either. Yes. Missile on the Horizon

Q: Colonel, a number of us saw what appeared to be a missile landing in the southeastern horizon, as viewed from the hotel, landing with a flash on the horizon. Would -- I know you may not want to speculate, but would you guess that this could have been either an errant Patriot or that it could have been a Scud?

A: O.K., you're talking about the four in the Riyadh area?

Q: The Riyadh area. I'm sorry, yeah.

A: No, I can't say what that might have been, but again, just to repeat on those -- the ones in the Riyadh area -- all four were engaged and destroyed. Any other questions? Yes, ma'am?

Q: Yes, some of us have just seen a crater that looks like it was from a missile or something landing.

A: O.K., the question was whether or not there was a crater or not, and right now U.S. Centcom has not received any such information.

Q: There were some sightings of at least one Patriot that appeared to leave its point and go at a very low altitude horizontally for about a mile and a half where there is a now a large crater and a damaged building. There are a number of Saudi authorities there. Has anyone from Centcom gone out to try to get a damage assessment?

A: O.K. I don't have any information on this particular incident, but we'll be glad to take that question for you. O.K., in the back of the room: Go ahead. Description of Crater

Q: We just got back from this crater where it blew out the back side of a building and left a hole in the ground about 10 feet deep and about 13, 14 feet wide. There were pieces of missile all over the place a mile and a half down the road.

A: O.K. We'll take a look at that, and whatever information I can get on it for you I'll be glad to. Anybody else? Yes?

Q: Would a Patriot be capable of causing a crater 10 feet deep and 14 feet wide?

A: I can't answer that for sure. I don't know about the size.

Q: How much explosives are in a Patriot?

A: I'd have to get the information for you. Pepin Statement

Emphasis continues to be placed on offensive counter-air and interdiction missions. The objectives of the large-scale interdiction air strikes continue to be the destruction of major Iraqi military complexes, the Republican Guards, airfields, air defense assets, long-range artillery and missile sites, and command and control elements.

As of today, the continuous operations have raised the total count for Operation Desert Storm sorties to over 7,000. As of 6 o'clock [ Sunday evening ] our aircraft were responsible for destroying 15 Iraqi aircraft in air-to-air combat, of which 10 were MIG-29 Fulcrums, 4 were F-1 Mirages, and we believe the 15th aircraft to be a MIG-23 Flogger. Of this total, 5 have been shot down today.

As of today, the United States has incurred 8 aircraft losses due to enemy fire. The Navy has lost 1 F-18 and 2 A-6E's, the Marine Corps 1 OV-10 and the Air Force 2 F-15E's and 2 F-16's. Additionally, 1 Air Force F-4G has been lost in non-battle damage.

. . .

Currently, 19 floating contact mines have been found. All have been found in the northern Arabian Gulf and all have been destroyed by coalition demolition teams. The Navy is also actively seeking, and if located will attack, Iraqi naval craft. Additionally, the Navy has continued to enforce United Nations resolutions and sanctions of the maritime intercept operations.